Is Whiskas wet food good for a kitten

Whiskas Cat Food Review

Weve taken a critical look at this iconic brand, evaluating Whiskas manufacturing, safety record, ingredient quality, and more. Get the facts in our unbiased Whiskas cat food review.

The Cats.com StandardRating Whiskas on What Matters

Weve analyzed Whiskas and graded it according to the Cats.com standard, evaluating the brand on species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history. Heres how it rates in each of these six key areas.

Ratings

• Species-Appropriateness 7/10
• Ingredient Quality 4/10
• Product Variety 3/10
• Price 8/10
• Customer Experience 8/10
• Recall History 9/10

Overall Score: 6.5/10

We give Whiskas cat food a 39 out of 60 rating or a C+ grade.

Whiskas Cat Food Video Review

About Whiskas

The brand that would become Whiskas was created in 1936. Then called Kal Kan, it was one of the first pet food brands in existence. By the time the brands name changed to Whiskas in 1988, it was on track to become a staple in pantries around the world.

The brand is owned by Mars Petcare, one of the planets top-earning pet food companies which also owns other popular brands such as Iams, Royal Canin, Nutro and more. With international distribution and a presence in almost every grocery and pet food store, Whiskas is one of the most recognizable and well-known brands in the world.

Sourcing And Manufacturing

With Whiskas available in so many countries, its hard to pin down exactly where all of their foods are made. It appears that at least some of their products sold in the United States are made in Virginia by a co-packing company, so its easy to assume that the company partners with other manufacturers around the world.

If you want detailed information pertinent to Whiskas food sold in your country, contact your local Whiskas customer support team.

Has Whiskas Cat Food Been Recalled?

Yes, but only in Canada. After 60 years in the industry, Whiskas announced its first voluntary recall, which involved several varieties of dry cat food sold in Canada.

While the company attributed the 2021 recall to a raw ingredient not meeting their quality standards, retailer Costco Wholesale revealed that the cause was the potential for mycotoxin contamination.

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds created by certain types of mold. This mold most often develops on rice, corn, and other grains. To our knowledge, there were no reports of illness related to this recall.

What Kinds Of Cat Food Does Whiskas Offer?

Whiskas is a bottom-of-the-line budget brand focusing on old-fashioned, affordable foods. Their selection includes dry food and wet recipes packed into pouches. All of their recipes feature beef, poultry, or fish, either in combination or as standalone main ingredients.

Whiskas Cat Food Top 3 Recipes Reviewed

Chicken appears to be the primary protein source in this wet cat food.

Like the food above, this food is not just made up of cuts of chicken. Instead, the food chunks appear to be extruded hunks of chicken, meat by-products, wheat gluten, and other additives.

Whiskas explains that the meat by-products in this recipe are derived from cows, pigs, and sheep. Though by-products arent necessarily badthey sometimes contain some of the most nutritious parts of the animaltheyre not necessarily good, either. Animal by-products may consist of minimally-nutritious animal parts like noses, ribs, and skin, or they could focus on highly-digestible organs and muscle meat. We just dont know.

And for cats with food sensitivities, this vaguely-named ingredient introduces too many variables for successful intolerance management.

Unlike the first cat food on this list, this Whiskas recipe doesnt contain any BHA or BHT, but it does contain added colors.

Overall, this food has high protein content with moderate fat and low carbohydrate content.

With a mix of named and nameless meats, the inclusion of wheat gluten and corn starch, and its use of added colors, this food is not a top choice. That said, its macronutrient distribution is in the carnivore-appropriate zone and sets it apart from other foods that are loaded with starchy, plant-sourced ingredients. If you need an affordable food that delivers species-appropriate, meat-based nutrition, this might be one to consider.

Sufficient Water For Processing, Chicken, Meat By-Products, Wheat Gluten, Corn Starch, Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Glycine, Salt, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Added Colors, Guar Gum, Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Iodide), Taurine, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Dl-Methionine.

Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Fish Oil

Ingredients We Didnt Like: Meat By-Products, Wheat Gluten, Corn Starch, Added Colors, Guar Gum

Crude Protein: 8%

Crude Fat: 3%

Crude Fiber: 1%

Moisture: 84%

Protein: 50%

Fat: 18.75%

Fiber: 6.25%

Carbs: 25%

Protein: 41.48%

Fat: 37.78%

Carbs: 20.74%

Pros

• Low carbohydrate content
• Cats like the way the food tastes
• Affordable for almost any budget

Cons

• Contains meat by-productsmay not be a highly-digestible or high-quality food
• Comes in small plastic pouches

What Do Customers Think Of Whiskas Cat Food?

Whiskas is a popular brand. People around the world buy and rely on it every dayand cats like it, too. While most customers feed their cats Whiskas without ever writing a review, most of those who do have good things to say.

Whiskas gets some negative feedback, too. Reviewers on ConsumerAffairs, for example, give it an overall satisfaction rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars. Some say their cats got sick after eating Whiskas. Some say the food wasnt fresh. Others found foreign objects in the food.

What, exactly, are real customers saying about Whiskas cat food? Lets read a few customer reviews.

Positive Reviews

Whiskas Tender Bites has been a god send for our thirteen year old domestic shorthair orange tabby Fireball. Poor thing went through a bout of depression after her bonded sister passed away. She lost any and all desire for food and treats. We didnt want to give up on her because she had been diagnosed and treated for lymphoma a few years prior. So we felt like if she could get through that, she could get through this. She dropped down to a very alarming 4lbs, before we made the decision to start force feeding her. After several nights of baby food, kmr, broths, etc. she finally started to come back around to eating on her own.

We wanted her food to be as appetizing as possible, but didnt have the money or resources to spend an arm and a leg on cream of the crop, better than human food cat food. She we tried Whiskas and she went CRAZY over it. She started out just lapping the gravy/juices but progressed into eating the meat bits. Once her appetite returned to normal, she couldnt get enough! At one point, we were feeding her three packets a day to help her put on weight. And it worked in less than four month she was back up to 6lbs.

I appreciate Wiskas Tender Bites as they are affordable (Amazons Subscribe and Save has the best deal), come in easy to open pouches and are apparently quite delicious. And while the ingredients may not be super duper organic and premium, real meat is the second ingredient next to water for processing. Plus I mean this food basically saved my kittys life and helped her get back into a much healthier weight range! Shaigirl, reviewing Whiskas Tender Bites

My cats just love it. Great product. It is convenient, fresh and tasty. The cats lick their plates and the kittens just love it too. I would recommend it in fact I do. When I sell a kitten I always suggest they feed the whiskas purrfectly chicken. Henri, reviewing Whiskas Purrfectly Chicken Entree

Negative Reviews

I agree with some of the other reviews regarding this product. The last several cases I have purchased have all dark meat and the gravy is dark. The feral cats I feed leave the meat. It is a waste. I will order it one or two more times, but if it continues to look like this, I will stop buying it. maggie, reviewing Whiskas Purrfectly Chicken Entree

Ive got two kittens that dont seem to mind this food. My 9 year old cat, at first sniff she walked away. But later on when she was too hungry, shell eat it. The two times that she has eaten, she has gotten ill. The first time, she threw up afterwards. Second time, she threw it up again, however, she remained sick for two days. She ended up with bloody diarrhea for a day and then less bloody soft but solid stool the second day. Honestly, I would not risk your furry loved ones health for a cheap cat food option. J W, reviewing Whiskas Tender Bites Favorite Selections

How Much Does Whiskas Cat Food Cost?

Whiskas cat food is one of the cheapest brands on the market. Their wet foods cost about $0.07 per ounce or roughly $0.63 per day for the average 10-lb cat. Whiskas dry cat food costs half as much per ounce and, if youre feeding the same 10-lb cat, it would cost about $0.08 per day.

This makes Whiskas cat food some of the cheapest you can buy.

Overall, Is Whiskas A Good Choice?

Whiskas may be a good option if youre looking for a flavorful, affordable, meat-based food, but their recipes arent the best.

Read the label closely to make sure youre choosing one of their BHA and BHT-free recipes and avoid those that contain caramel color. If your cat seems to have a sensitive stomach, consider trying another brand that uses only named meats. Whiskas use of meat by-products makes it difficult to identify and eliminate problem ingredients.

Where To Buy Whiskas Cat Food?

Whiskas cat food is sold in groceries, big box stores, and pet food stores around the world. You can also find it online on Amazon, Chewy, Walmart, and other online retailers that sell pet food.

Also Read:

Honest Whiskas Wet Cat Food Review

Disclaimer: As an Amazon and Pet Circle affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This does not impact our reviews and comparisons.

Score: 7.5/10

Bottom Line

A budget wet cat food most will enjoy.

PROS

• Affordable
• Widely available
• No rice

CONS

• Vague nutrition
• Meat by-products
• Icky looking

We did this Whiskas wet cat food review with our kitten taste testers.

Whiskas is a brand popular in Australia and England. Its an affordable option for kittens and adult cats.

Review summary:

The good?

Affordable.

Hard to beat the price of Whiskas if youre looking for a decent choice at a pinch. Theres no carbs loaded in, making it an easier to digest.

The bad?

Vagueness.

Most of the nutrition info is either missing or completely unreliable. Since the product uses meat by-products, its one of those meat of the day cat foods.

The ugly?

Sloppy and icky.

I tested the mixed favourites for kittens and this thing slides out. That makes it easier to serve, but even the cats had a hard time grasping the slippery morsel.

It also makes me wonder whether the added oil to achieve that effect is great for my cats.

In short:

You could do worse than Whiskas on your cat food shopping.

Yes the quality is essentially whatever bits and pieces they can put in the tin. But meat is meat, and thats what cats need as carnivores.

Its affordable, and our kittens approved. On a budget, its worth a look.

Best for:

• Budget buy
• Fussy eaters
• Kittens or adult cats

>> Check out Whiskas wet cat food here

After more info on Whiskas wet cat food?

In this short Whiskas wet cat food review Ill go into more detail about:

• Nutrition
• Ingredients
• Taste
• Value for money

This will hopefully assist in figuring out if Whiskas is the right product for your needs. The article includes results from product testing.

For this review Ive looked at Whiskas Kitten Mixed Favourites in Jelly. This may not reflect the quality of similar products in the range.

More below!

I am not a veterinarian and I recommend seeking the advice of a vet for any further questions.This article is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.

Whiskas Wet Cat Food Review

About Whiskas

Whiskas are a company founded in 1958.

Theyre owned by Waltham Petcare Institute, a subsidiary of Mars Petcare. Whiskas replaced the Kal Kan brand in the 80s.

Products vary from region to region. Whiskas offer wet and dry cat food as well as supplements like milk.

Whiskas First Impressions

Bright and clean.

Front label:

The front package stands out with contrast between purple and green. Its clear what Im getting in the box, and what lifestage this is for (2-12 months).

Quick notes:

• Clear lifestage information
• Shows amount (12 x 85g)
• States its complete and balanced

Sides:

Has a statement of nutritional adequacy, which is good. Instructions are easy to follow and theres tips for food transition.

Lacks nutrition info, only showing crude protein and fat. The ingredients are the same for each flavor (a little vague).

Quick notes:

• Statement of nutritional adequacy
• Easy to follow
• Vague nutrition

Back:

Includes a little marketing spiel on the back. Nothing outrageous in terms of claims.

They do say natural defense support which they attribute to the antioxidants (they indeed add vitamins and minerals). State their product is small and easy to eat.

Quick notes:

• No wild claims
• Easy to read
• Clean

So far, things are looking pretty good for Whiskas, despite the vague nutrition and ingredients panel.

Lets talk about that

Nutrition

Hard to know.

Whiskas only include information on calories, crude protein, and fat. Plugging that in with market averages gives me a carb content of 34% (dry basis).

Thats high, but didnt seem right given theres no grains, sugar, rice or carb rich food in the pouch. So theres just not enough information here to make a judgement.

Instead I defaulted to market average for analysis, but deducted points for vagueness. Whiskas meets AAFCOs nutrition guidelines as a complete meal for growth (<1 year).

Quick notes:

• Lacks info
• No added carbs (assume low)
• Complete and balanced

Nutrition (Dry Matter Basis)

• Protein: 58%*
• Carbs: 3%*
• Fat: 22%*
• Ash: 12%*
• Fiber: 5%*
• Calcium to Phosphate Ratio: N/A
• Energy: 650 kcal/kg

*Estimated based on market average for wet cat food

Nutrition: 7.5/10

Ingredients

Generic.

The first 2 ingredients are meat based, but declare a mish mash of possible parts (chicken, beef, sheep, and/or pork). Meat of the day type situation.

They use cereal protein, a low quality protein. How much isnt clear due to the with label (3-25% of the named ingredient).

More analysis:

Ingredients: 7/10

Taste

Good.

I tested Whiskas side-by-side with our kittens favorite food (Felix). This was to try get a fair comparison (I also tested it by itself).

Our kittens enjoyed both, but finished Whiskas first. The slippery texture makes it easy to slide out the pouch, but hard to chew.

• Product Test: Whiskas Kitten Favourites in Jelly (1 x 85g pouch)
• Comparison: Felix Kitten (1 x 85g pouch)
• Amount Eaten: 100%
• Cats: 3 (age 6 months)
• Time to Finish Eating: 1.5 minutes
• Food Appearance: Meaty and slippery
• Smell: Faint cat food smell

Heres pictures of the product test:

Taste: 10/10

Value for Money

Great.

As far as wet cat food goes, theres not much better on the market.

They also offer 60 x 85g packs online which can save if buying in bulk.

Similar choices:

Value: 8/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Felix or Whiskas Better?

Both are similar.

I compared the two side-by-side and our kittens enjoyed both. Similar price too.

Youll find more info on Felix nutrition, which I didnt get from Whiskas. That puts Felix a little ahead.

What Is the Most Recommended Wet Cat Food?

Felix.

I chose this as its affordable and most cats love it. The product is low carb for easy digestion.

Learn more:

Is Whiskas Wet Food Good for Cat?

Yes.

Its a complete meal, meaning it offers the full range of nutrients cats need. Its rich in meat (albeit from a mix of by-products).

As a long-term choice, the added ingredients (e.g. vegetable oil) might not be optimal, but its hard to quantify that.

Learn more:

How Much Wet Food Should a Cat Have Daily?

Depends on the lifestage.

Whiskas offer feeding guidelines on the bag to help you decide how much to feed.

To get a more precise feeding amount, use an online calculator.

Learn more:

Do Vets Recommend Wet Cat Food?

Most do.

Advice varies depending on education. Since cats are carnivores, their diet is comprised of prey (e.g. mice).

Wet cat food best matches the dietary needs of carnivores. It helps keep cats hydrated.

Learn more:

Conclusion

Whiskas wet cat food is an affordable choice that offers complete nutrition.

Our cats enjoyed the taste, and its rich in meat (albeit from a mish-mash of by-products).

However, the lack of nutrition information is of concern. Food quality looks a tad icky.

Best for:

• Budget buy
• Fussy eaters
• Kittens or adult cats

Where to find Whiskas wet cat food?

Read more: